Science Spotlight

Why It’s Important

Walruses inhabiting Bristol Bay are an important, traditional cultural resource of area residents. However, multiple factors could negatively influence their population. First, there is concern that the commercial trawl fishery operating in Bristol Bay may cause disturbance to walruses, their foraging areas, and prey resources. Second, possible oil and gas development in southern Bristol Bay may result in disruptive activities or accidents that could impact numerous critical resources, including walruses and their prey. Finally, climate change and its effects on marine environments are potentially the greatest long term threat to the Bering Sea ecosystem. Establishing contemporary baseline information on walrus feeding ecology in Bristol Bay is needed so that impacts that may occur due to various factors can be quantified and mitigated to conserve walruses.

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